Christmas and Winter Breaks for Families 2015

Holidays aren’t just for the summertime. We’ve put together a list of fabulous winter breaks both in the UK and abroad that are perfect for families with children.

Winter Breaks for Families 2015

Ickworth House Hotel

Want to feel like an aristocrat for a few days? This gorgeous four-star hotel set in the expansive grounds of the Ickworth estate, in Suffolk, may be just what you’re searching for.

The luxury property welcomes families and provides two hours of free OFSTED registered childcare per day for children from three months up to eight years, as well as children’s activities and play equipment to keep little ones busy whilst you relax. Spot deer, play in the pool, explore the grounds at your leisure, and enjoy exclusive access to the Italianate gardens and main house once it is closed to daytime visitors – all without leaving the grounds.

Rooms come equipped with everything you might need – from nappy bins to bed guards – and meal times are flexible to suit your family’s routine.

A two-night post-Christmas mid-week break costs £399, including breakfast and a two course dinner.

Woolley Grange Hotel

Placed within walking distance of Bradford on Avon, in Wiltshire, Woolley Grange is a beautiful 17th century manor house that also happens to feature award-winning children’s facilities.

There is plenty to do in the grounds, including lawn games, a trampoline, a grass maze, and an outdoor play area. Children will enjoy visiting the resident ducks and chickens and collecting eggs from their nesting boxes.

When you need a bit of adult time, the OFSTED registered Woolley Bear’s Den is run by qualified nannies, and is available during the day for children from newborn to eight years. Even better – just as in Ickworth House Hotel above – parents are entitled to two hours of free childcare every day of their stay.

The rooms are fully equipped with baby and toddler gear, so you don’t have to drag everything from home. A family dinner is served at 6pm each day, but is you haven’t sleepier little ones there is a Children’s High Tea served and attended by nannies at 5pm.

A two-night pre-Christmas special mid-week break cost from £479, including breakfast and a festive candle lit dinner each night, with mulled wine and mince pies on arrival.

Tredethick Farm Cottages, Cornwall

Tredethick Farm, in Lostwithiel, Cornwall, aims to offer a holiday that is truly accommodating to families with young children. With plenty of baby and toddler equipment and toys, a warm indoor pool, soft play area, morning animal feeds, pony rides and more, all those holiday worries are instantly removed.

During Christmas and New Year all of the cottages include a real Christmas tree and cosy log burner. You can even order food to be delivered on your arrival.

Six on the eight cottages on site are on a single floor only, making them great for toddlers. And if you do opt for accommodation with stairs, the team will provide stairgates to keep little ones safe.

If the rain sets in and the weather isn’t good enough to explore outside, there is a play barn with a large indoor sandpit, table tennis, pool, table football. If you fancy snuggling up in your cottage, there is a DVD library available in the farm shop.

Plus, if your book during the festive period you’ll receive a free family ticket to the Eden Project, worth £69.

Villa Maria Jacuzzi, Costa Adeje

For families with young children, a stay in the Villa Maria Jacuzzi villa is a breath of fresh air. With its own Jacuzzi (with cover for peace of mind), an onsite restaurant, swimming pools, and family-friend facilities, you will be in the perfect setting to unwind in the winter sun and enjoy the scenery.

When booking through Tots to Travel, families will also receive the Essential Baby & Toddler Kit, which included all those necessities that you’d prefer to have close at hand.

On site there is a playground, mini-golf course, a play room for younger children and a games room for bigger kids, both of which provide a great place to relax. If you require a babysitter at any point, these are available to hire for €15 per hour for up to 3 children.

A three-night stay in December costs from £981, including a huge buffet breakfast served from 7am – 11am (with champagne!). Half- and full-board options are also available.

Forest Holidays

Nothing can be more relaxing that spending a few days away from it all in the heart of nature. Forest Holidays offer a family escape in 9 stunning locations, one of which is only a short drive away in Norfolk.

Accommodation is clean, spacious, and set in beautiful surroundings. A hot tub comes as standard in both the silver birch or golden oak cabin, while the latter also benefit from a cosy log burning stove and fluffy robes and slippers in the master bedroom.

Those travelling with children can book baby baths, high chairs and travel cots. All venues have a launderette and baby good are on sale in the Forest Retreat. You can also pre-book extras such as the in-cabin entertainment package which gives you internet access, movies, and sky TV (£35 per break). There are loads of other additional extras available, too.

If you have children aged 3-8, you may want to book the children’s holiday pack for £17, which include a microscope, telescope, I Spy book, colouring book and crayons, plus a surprise treat.

Prices for a three night weekend break in Thorpe Forest, Norfolk, start from £345 in December.

Kinderhotels Europa

Kinderhotels has one outstanding motto: Children are not just tolerated, but treasured. All of the independently run family hotels across Europe offer all-inclusive rates, with baby and toddler equipment free of charge.

Equipment includes baby alarm, baby chairs, cradles, baby walkers, baby carriers, slings and pram/pushchair hire. Free childcare is also on hand when you need a bit of downtime.

Many hotels provide free swimming lessons for children aged three months and up, while other resorts offer skiing courses for children as young as two years. If your little one is over six, they might enjoy learning tricks at the Wizard School.

Venues range from luxury hotels to alpine farmsteads, so there’s something to suit all tastes.

Last Minute Lodges

If you’ve searching for a last minute self-catering Christmas getaway in the UK, Last Minute Lodge are well worth a look.

The company lists a variety of budget and luxury lodge accommodation that all have availability and special offers within the next four weeks. They also feature more unusual type of accommodation, such as gypsy caravans and timber wigwams.

While many of the places offered are child-friendly, although it’s important to check exactly what’s included before you book as some are better for kids than others. You will have to do a little more of the legwork here than on specialist family travel sites, but there are some real bargains waiting to be snapped up.